Northern Neighbors: Harbor teachers leave blackboards behind

June 28, 2004|BY LISA DOUBLESTEIN NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Northern Neighbors: Harbor teachers leave blackboards behind

A quick calculation of the numbers: Sixteen educators with more than 400 years experience, minus at least nine months of in-school work, equals at least six extra hours per day to spend time with dozens of children and plenty of grandchildren.

In the Harbor Springs School District, that equation is reality for 16 retirees. Totaling more than 400 years of experience, the teachers and administrators are off to travel the world, invest even more time in education and, most importantly, spend time with loved ones.

Bernie and Carol Slotnick never planned on staying long in Harbor Springs.

"My wife and I originally planned to stay only five years and then move on," said Bernie, 60, a teacher with the school district for 30 years. "But we found this community to be the place where we wanted to stay, raise our children and work. We never regretted that decision."

Carol, 59, taught in Harbor Springs for 20 years. She said she and Bernie are excited for retirement.

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"I look forward to traveling, spending lots more time with family and friends, volunteering, exploring new things, rediscovering some old interests like piano, and expanding my current hobbies," she said.

Carol added that she'll miss the students and teachers in the schools.

"There are so many fond memories because teaching is so rewarding," she said. "But one thing I'll always cherish are the memories of teaching with good friends and a dedicated staff.

"And it is also wonderful to teach in the community where we have raised our family and lived for the past 30 years. I think that makes it special, because your students, their parents and your colleagues all become an extended family. I love that."

Teaching their children Jay and Melissa is especially memorable for Bernie.

"Seeing them as students, and having them see me as a teacher, was special to me," he said. "It was also rewarding to be able to coach my son in football at Harbor Springs. Those are things that are unique to a small community."

Teacher Ron Gean, 60, said his fondest memories are of his students.

"I feel many strong ties were developed during those years, basically from the fun things we did," Gean said, naming activities such as the Robin Hood and Charlotte's Web plays, the egg drop contest and field trips.

He added that he enjoyed visiting with past students when they stopped by his classroom.

"I love having them come back to visit and share their lives with me," he said.

In retirement, Gean is headed back into the schools.

"I have accepted the job as principal at Blackbird Elementary," Gean said. "I look forward to working with staff, parents and students of this great school."

The best memories for most teachers are the kids, said Tom McDonald, a 36-year teacher in the district.

"The funny kids, the smart kids, the hard-working kids and especially the kids with the big hearts," McDonald said. "They have all helped to make the years fly by for me."

While McDonald, 58, will miss teaching, he said that in retirement he plans to stay involved with his former students.

"One of the best things about teaching is seeing students graduate and assume their adult roles as builders, real estate agents, nurses, doctors, dentists, engineers, artists, stock analysts, teachers or any of the other vital jobs that make the community work," he said. "Luckily, retirement won't stop me from doing that."

Barbara Rivard has big plans for her retirement. The 57-year-old 35-year teacher in Harbor Springs is headed overseas.

"I was a Fulbright Teacher, and taught in England from 1980-81," she said. "I will be going back there to see the friends I haven't visited lately."

Rivard said she will miss her first-graders.

"It's so rewarding, because at the end of the year you can see how far they've grown," she said. "They come to you as kindergartners, and at the end of the year they're writing, reading and they've grown emotionally. And they're still at a sweet age where they're proud of themselves."

In her retirement, Rivard plans to volunteer and substitute teach in the district.

"I've been in school since I was 5, though, so I will take it easy," she said.

Northern Michigan native Ron Hausler has made teaching in his home area a true commitment. Throughout his 35-year teaching career, Hausler also coached baseball, football and basketball.

"I thank the Harbor Springs Public School Board, administration, staff, parents and PTO for the rewarding years," Hausler said. "For the first time since 1952 I will not be going to school in September."

A part-time Realtor since 1985, Hausler will work full-time for Real Estate One in his retirement. He also plans to volunteer with students.

After years of teaching downstate, Blackbird Elementary School principal Gretchen Gabler ventured north to meet with a group of warm teachers and administrators.

"The first staff meeting provided homemade cookies with the promise of a never-empty candy jar, yearly goals and apologies of mixing names and faces," she said.

Her favorite memories include handling the effects of Proposal A, working with an outstanding staff, a sagging roof, young fives classes and installing a looping choice for families interested in two years with the same teacher.

"Also, welcoming children into our school community and watching them unfold into wonderful children, too big for Blackbird and ready for the Shay experience," Gabler said. "This June I watched my first second-graders from 1993 receive their high school diplomas - they make me proud."